Animal-trap.



PATENTED NOV. 22, 1904.

W. H. HARDEN.

ANIMAL TRAP. APPLICATION FILED JUNE-28, 1904.

3 SHEBTS-SHBET 1.

N0 MODEL.

ATTORNEYS WITNESSES.-

PATENTED NOV. 22, 1904.

No. 775,750. r

W. H. HARDEN.

ANIMAL TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 1904.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W/T/VESSES: 06 a m xggo i ATTORNEYS PATENTED NOV. 22, 1904.

- W. H. HARDEN.

ANIMAL TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 1904.

s SHEETS-SHEETQ.

N0 MODEL.

WITNESSES.

ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES Patented November 22, 1904.

ATENT @rrrcs.

l/VILLIAM HAMILTON I-IARDEN, OF

QUITMAN, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF ANIMAL-TRAP- SPECIFICATION forming part ofLetters Patent No. 775,750, dated November 22, 1904.

Application filed June 28, 1904:. a

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that LWILLIAM HAMILTON HAR- DEN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Quitman, in the county of Brooks and State ofGeorgia, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Animal-Traps,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to animal-traps, and is adapted especially forcatching rats or mice.

The object of the invention is to produce a trap whichis sprungor shutautomatically by the animal upon entering.

The trap comprisesaremovable cage or auxiliary body which the animalenters after the trap is shut. Automatic arrangement is made forresetting the trap by the weight of the animal after it has passed intothe upper body or cage.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts tobe more fully de scribed hereinafter and definitely set forth in theclaims.

In the drawings, which fully illustrates my invention, Figure l is aperspective of a trap, representing a rat about to enter the same. Fig.2 is a longitudinal vertical section representing the trap in its sprungor closed position. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan taken substantially onthe line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section takensubstantially on the line 4: 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 isaperspectiverepresenting in detail a drop-door which constitutes a feature of thecage. This view represents parts contiguous to and operated by thedrop-door for resetting the trap. Fig. 6 is a perspective of the body ofthe trap, representing the cage as removed. Fig. 7 is a perspective ofthe platform used in connection with the body for controlling the doorof the trap. Fig. 8 is a perspective of the door of the trap,representing the reverse or lower side thereof.

Throughout the drawings and specification the same numerals of referencedenote like parts. I

Referring more particularly to the parts, 1 represents the hollow orchambered body of the trap, which consists, as shown, of an elongatedboX-like structure having a floor 2,

Serial No. 214,485. (No model.)

sides 3, and aninclined opening or doorway 4:,

4 before which doorwayadoor-step 5 is formed.

The rear wall of this body 1 consists of a grating or grill 6. The body1 is preferably open above, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6, andprovided with across bar or brace 7, which is preferably jointed at itsextremities in the upper edges 8 of the side walls 3. Upon the body 1 aremovable cage or auxiliary body 9 rests, as indicated most clearly inFigs. 1 and 2. When in position, this cage substantially closes theupper side of the body. Its construction will be more fully describedhereinafter.

In the forward portion of the body 1 and preferably substantiallybeneath the inner edge 10 of the door-step 5 adoor 11 is pivotallysupported upon a transverse pin 12, the said pin having projectingextremities 13 mounted in the side walls 3 of the body, as will bereadily understood. The construction of this door 11 is most clearlyshown in Fig. 8. It comprises a main panel 14: and a footpiece 15, saidfoot-piece being disposed beyond the pivot pin or fulcrum 12 andcarrying counterweights 16, adapted to partially counterbalance theweight of the main panel 14. As indicated, the door 11 is hungin such amanner that it may lie against the inner side of the door-frame 17 whenthe trap is sprung or shut.

In the lower portion of the body 1 of the trap there is provided aplatform 18, the same being mounted to rock upon a transverse horizontalpin or arbor 19, the extremities whereof are carried in the side walls3. This platform comprises side members 20, disposed longitudinally andconnected at their extremities by plates or boards 21 22, the formerbeing disposed at the forward extremity of the platform adjacent to thedoor 11 and affording means for mounting a transverselydisposed shaft23, carrying rollers 24, as shown. The rear extremity of the platform 18lies adjacent to a block 25, disposed upon the floor at the back of thebody, and forwardly with respect to this block a fin or partition 26projects upwardly from the floor 2 in such a manner as to form a space27, into which of the partition-wall 36.

a after.

the rear board 22 of the platform. may be depressed, as indicated inFig. 2. The purpose of this fin 26 will appear more fully herein- Asshown, the rollers 24 lie adjacent to the rear faces of the door 11 andare adapted to roll upon longitudinally-disposed wearing-strips 28,which are attached to the under or inner side of the door, as indicated.When the trap is in its set position, the door 11 and the platform 18occupy, substantially, the position in which they are shown in dottedlines in Fig. 2, the forward extremity of the platform being depressedand supporting the door 11, which rests substantially horizontallythereupon.

In order to facilitate the baiting of the trap, bait-hooks 29 areprovided, the same being preferably attached, by means of eyes at theirupper extremities, to a horizontal bar 30 of the grating 6, referred toabove.

The cage or upper body 9, already referred to, comprises a floor 3O ofsubstantially rectangular form, as shown, the same being provided uponits under side with longitudinallydisposed cleats 31, which are'adaptedto receive between them the upper edges 8 of the body 1. Thesecleats 31 abut at their forward extremities against blocks or chocks 32,attached to the outer faces of the side walls 3, as shown. Evidentlymounting the upper body in this manner facilitates maintaining the samein position and assists in replacing the same after removal. The floor30 constitutes the bottom of an inclosure or cagebody 33, formed,preferably, of wire-gauze or similar material, as shown, the same beingprovided with a door 34 in its forward wall for the purpose offacilitating the removal of animals which find their way into the cage.The floor 30 is provided near its rear 'edge with an opening 35, whichcommunicates with the interior of the body 1, and the space in thecage-body 33 above this opening is inclosed by a wall' or partition 36,three sides whereof are preferably of sheet metal, as indicated. In thismanner a compartment 37 is formed in the upper body just above the rearportion of the trap, and this compartment 37 is in communication with agallery 38, the sides 39 whereof constitute extensions The floor of thisgallery 38 consists of a platform or drop-door 40, which is mounted torock upon a transverse horizontal pin 41, the extremities whereof arecarried in the side walls 39, as shown. In its construction thisdrop-door or drop comprises side bars 42, preferably disposed parallel,as shown, and connected at their rear extremities by a cross-head 43,the same projecting therebeyond and carrying counterweights 44, adaptedto maintain the dropdoor 40 normally in a horizontal position. Fromsubstantially the middle point of the cross-head 43 a bar 45 depends,the same terminating below in a hook 46, the purpose of'.

which will appear more fully hereinafter. At its sides the drop-door 40is provided with cheeks ,or plates 47, which lie adjacent to the innerfaces of the side walls 39 of the gallery, as shown. The forward wall ofthe gallery 38 is preferably formed of a grating 48, composed ofhorizontal bars, as shown.

Adjacent to the hook 46 a yoke 49 is located, the same being carried byand projecting substantially vertically from the rear board 22 of theplatform 18. In order to enable the bar 45 to depend from the cross-head43 in the manner described, the floor 30 of the cage is provided with anopening 50, through which the same passes. It should be stated that whenthe trap is in its set position the transverse or horizontal bar 51 ofthe yoke 49 occupies an elevated position with respect to the hook 46.

Referring again to the rear wall or grating 6 of the body 1, it shouldbe said that the lowest bar 52 thereof constitutes the axis of a hingedjoint, enabling the entire grating to be rotated rearwardly in order tofacilitate the baiting of the hooks 29. The bar 53 projects, as shown,at its extremities and is received in notches or recesses 54, formed inthe rear edges of the side walls 3, the said notches constituting stopsto limit the forward movement of the grating, as will be readilyunderstood. The grating is maintained in its upright position by meansof a cleat or clip 55, which is attached to the rear edge of the floor30, projecting below the same, as indicated, so as to abut against therear edge of a central bar 56 of the grating.

The mode of operation of the trap will now be described. Supposing thetrap to be in its set position, the door 11 and the platform 18 willthen occupy substantially the positions in which they are shown indotted lines in Fig. 2. When so arranged, it will appear that the doorlies substantially horizontally in the doorway, and the doorway isunobstructed to allow an animal'to pass through. The animal havingpassed through the doorway would proceed toward the bait at the rear ofthe body. In order to do this, however, he must pass over the rear board22 of the platform 18, depressing the same. As shown, as the rearextremity of the platform 18 is depressed the forward extremity is ofcourse elevated, and through the medium of the rollers 24 the platformoperates to close the door 11, so that the door and platform wouldassume substantially the relation shown in full lines in Fig. 2. Theparts having been moved into this position will maintain such positionuntil the trap is reset. The animal having been caught in the body 1soon finds the opening 35,through which he passes into the compartment37. He finds the gallery 38, and passing into the same his weightdepresses the drop-door 40, so that the animal is eventuallyprecipitated into the principal compartment of the cage.

As the drop-door sinks with the weight of the animal the bar is raisedinto the dotted position in which it is shown. As it rises the hook 46engages the horizontal bar 51 of the yoke 49 in such a manner as toraise the rear extremity of the platform 18. Returning the platform 18in this manner to ahorizontalposition permits the door 11 to descendagain to its normalhorizontal position, resting upon the platform, andit should be understood that the door and platform will normallymaintain themselves in the set position. In this connection it should bestated that the counterweights 16, used at the forward edge of the door,are not sufficient to completely counterbalance the weight of the door;but their addition is intended to enable the position of equilibrium ofthe platform and door to be nicely adjusted.

The fin 26, which was described as projecting upwardly from the floor,is useful in preventing the animal passing his body into the space 27beneath the rear board 22 of the platform in such a manner as to raisethe same at this point, which would open the trap.

The baiting of the trap is readily accomplished without removing thecage 9 by simply tipping the rear edge thereof upwardly in such a manneras to disengage the clip 55 from the grating 6. When this is done,evidently the grating can be swung downwardly, so as to enable the hooks29 to be readily baited. This manner of baiting the trap is consideredvery advantageous, as it does not necessitate the dislocating of thehook 46 from its position below the yoke 49, it being understood that ifthe hook and yoke did not occupy the proper relative position theautomatic resetting of the trap could not be effected.

The cheeks or plates 47 operate advantageously to prevent anypossibility of the animals feet or its tail being caught atthe edge ofthe drop-door 40, which might prevent the same from returning to itsnormal position.

The employment of the grating 6 to constitute the rear wall of the bodyis also considered advantageous, as it allows the light to be seentherethrough from the front of the trap, so as to invite the entrance ofthe animal. This open construction is advantageous also in facilitatingthe dissemination of the scent of the bait. Likewise the openconstruction at the forward wall of the gallery 38 is consideredadvantageous in allowing light to pass, giving the animal the impressionthat he may find exit in that direction fromthe compartment 37.

WVhen the trap is visited by an attendant, the cage 9, which shouldcontain all the animals caught, would be removed from the body 1 and theanimals caught be removed from the same through the door 34. In case theattendant should observe that the trap was not in its set position hewould become apprised of the fact that an animal was in the body and hadnot passed into the principal compartment of the cage.

Throughout the interior of the trap at points likely to be gnawed by theanimal metal strips or similar devices would be attached, as will bereadily understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an animal-trap, in combination, a door adapted to close theentrance to said trap, a platform within said trap and adapted toactuate said door, said platform having an expanse upon which the animalmay stand, said trap presenting a guarded space into which said expansemay descend.

2. In an animal trap, in combination, a swinging door adapted to closethe entrance to the trap, a rocking platform adapted to actuate saiddoor and having an expanse adapted to receive the animals weight andmembers disposed at the edges of said expanse and adapted to guard theunder side thereof when said expanse descends.

3. In an animal-trap, in combination, a movable door adapted to closethe entrance to said trap, a platform adapted to actuate said door, acompartment into which an entrapped animal may pass, and automaticmechanism connecting with said platform to operate said door so as toreset said trap. 4. In an animal-trap, in combination, a door adapted toclose the entrance to said trap, a depressible platform adapted toactuate said door, a compartment which an entrapped animal may enter, adepressible member in said compartment, mechanism connecting the samewith said door to reopen it and means for preventing the return of anentrapped animal from said compartment.

5. In an animal-trap, in combination, a chambered body, automatic meansfor closing said trap when an animal enters the same, a cage incommunication with said body, a dropdoor adapted to precipitate ananimal within said cage and mechanism connected with said drop-door forreopening the door.

6. In an animal -trap, in combination, a chambered body, automatic meansfor controlling admission thereto by an animal within said body, a cagein communication with said body, a swinging door in connection with saidcage and mechanism connected with said swinging door for reopening thedoor.

7. In an animal trap, in combination, a chambered body, a doortherefor,a lever which may support said door in a closed position, acage in communication with said body, a dropdoor in said cage at whichthe animal may pass, and mechanism connecting said'dropdoor with saidlever to open said door.

8. In an animal trap, in combination, a chambered body, a door therefor,a platform constituting a lever and adapted to actuate said door, a cagedisposed above said body and communicating therewith, a drop-door insaid cage and a depending bar actuated by said drop-door and connectingwith said platform to control said door.

9. In an animal trap, in combination, a chambered body, a door for saidbody, automatic means for closing said door, a cage disposed above saidbody and having a compartment communicating therewith, said compartmenthaving a gallery, a drop-door constituting the floor of said gallery,said cage comprising a second compartment to which said drop-door leads,and means for reopening said drop-door.

10. In an animal-trap, in combination, a chambered body, a doortherefor, automatic means for closing said door, a cage having acompartment in communication with said body and a gallery leading fromsaid compartment, a second compartment beyond said gallery, a drop-doorconstituting the floor for said gallery and constituting a lever, adepending bar carried by said lever and passing downwardly into the saidbody, said bar affording means for opening said door.

11. In an animal-trap, in combination, a chambered body, a doortherefor, a depressible platform normally occupying an elevated positionand adapted to actuate said door, a cage above said body andcommunicating therewith, a bar depending from said cage and normallyoccupying a depressed position, members carried by said bar and saidplatform which may engage each other, and automatic m ans for actuatingsaid bar.

12. In an animal-trap, in combination, a chambered body, a doortherefor, a depressible platform adapted to actuatesaid door andnormally occupying an elevated position, a yoke carried by saidplatform, a cage disposed above said body and communicating therewith, abar depending from said cage and normally occupying a depressedposition, said bar having a hook adapted to engage said yoke, andautomatic means for actuating said bar.

13. In an animal-trap, in combination, a chambered body, a doortherefor, a depressible platform adapted to actuate said door, a yokeattached to the upper side thereof, a cage disposed above said body andhaving a compartment communicating therewith, a gallery in communicationwith said compartment, said cage having a second compartment with whichsaid gallery may communicate, a dropdoor constituting the bottom forsaid gallery, and having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation,said drop-door constituting a lever, a bar depending from said drop-doorand having a hook disposed below said yoke, there being an opening inthe floor of said cage through which said bar depends.

14. In an animal-trap, in combination, a body having a hinged rear walland a removable cage supported upon said body and adapted to maintainsaid rear Wall in position.

15. In an animal-trap, a body having a hinged wall, means for attachingbait on the inner side of said wall, a removable cage communicating withthe interior of said body, and means carried by said cage for supportingsaid Wall.

16. In an animal-trap, in combination, a chambered body, a removablecage in communication therewith, a door for said body, a member carriedby said cage, a member within said body, and adapted to actuate saiddoor, and stops adapted to abut said cage to bring said members intooperative alinement.

17. In an animal-trap, in combination, a body having an entrance theretoand inclosed sides, said body having a rear wall consisting of a gratingformed of horizontal bars, the lowermost of said bars constituting anaxis of rotation for said grating, hooks attached to an upper bar anddepending within the said body to receive bait and a removable cagedisposed above said body and having a clip engaging the upper portion ofsaid grating to maintain the same in an upright position.

18. In an animal-trap, in combination, a chambered body, a door adaptedto close the entrance thereto, a platform constituting a lever forcontrolling the said door, said platform having an upwardly-extendingyoke, a removable cage disposed above said body and having a dependingbar adapted to actuate said lever, the rear wall of said body beinghinged at the lower edge thereof, and means carried by said cage forengaging the upper edge of said rear wall to maintain the same in anupright position.

19. In an animal trap, a compartment adapted to confine the animals, adrop-door leading thereto and upwardly-disposed plates attached to theedges of said drop-door.

20. In an animal-trap, in combination, a compartment adapted to confinethe animals, a gallery communicating therewith and having substantiallyvertical side walls, a dropdoor constituting the floor for said galleryand having vertical extensions attached at the edges thereof adjacent tosaid side walls.

WILLIAM HAMILTON HARDEN.

Witnesses:

ADAM BEASLEY, W. A. DAVIS.

